A Young Star's European Debut
Twelve‑year‑old Aleksander Urbaniak, a resident of Belleville, made a splash at the WBSC U‑12 Baseball European Championship in Bulgaria, where he wore the Polish national jersey.
In four games he reached base eight times, going 2‑for‑8 with six walks, five runs, two RBI and three stolen bases, a performance that highlighted his emerging skill set.
Born in Wroclaw, Poland, he moved to the United States with his family when he was two, and only four years ago he first picked up a baseball, a sport that has since become a passion.
Family Ties Fuel the Journey
His mother, Kate Urbaniak, reached out to the Polish American Baseball and Softball Foundation, a connection that helped secure his spot on the Polish squad, and the trip also allowed him to reconnect with extended family members still living in Poland, including several of his father Pawel Urbaniak’s relatives.
Beyond the tournament, Aleksander is a sixth‑grader at St. Thomas The Apostle School in Bloomfield and a key member of Belleville’s U13 travel team, which captured a league title this spring under the guidance of coach Kevin Torres.
Reflecting on the experience, he said the chance to represent Poland and share the moment with his family made the journey unforgettable, underscoring the blend of cultural heritage and new beginnings that defines his young career.